Visible index record book



Sept. 19, 1933. J. MCMILLAN VISIBLE INDEX RECORD BOOK Filed April 16, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 147-701? NEYE' Sept. l9, 1933. J. LIM MILLAN VISIBLE INDEX RECORD BOOK Filed April 16, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A 7-7-0 ENEKS' UNITED STATES PATENT-VHO-FJFICE VISIBLE INDEX RECORD BOOK John L. McMillan, Syracuse,,N. Y., assignor 'to McMillan Book Company, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York 1 Application April 16, 1928, Serial No. 270,422

10 Claims. (Cl. 129-24) This invention relates to a. new and improved loose leaf binder of the type usually called a visible index record book and is particularly adapted for the type of loose leaf binders. in 5 which the sheets are retained on split rings. I

In using loose leaf books of this typeparticularly where they are used to keep records of different accounts it is desirable to have the sheets in the book of such a size and so placed in the book that the title of each sheet will at all times be visible.

In order to accomplish this result the sheets are usually less in width than the width of the binder itself so that theymay be placed in the binder in overlapping relation leaving a portion of the top of eachsheet exposed. In using this type of book it is frequently necessary to remove from the book from time to time sheets which represent an account which has been closed or sheets which it is desired to remove for some other reason. When this takes place it is usually the custom to place a new sheet in the book at the bottom thereof. It is then necessary to move the sheets adjacent the sheet which has been removed along the rings so that all of the sheets in the book will be uniformly spaced.

If the movement of the sheets along the ring can be accomplished without removing the sheets from the rings it is of a great advantage and permits the book to be used with much more ease and rapidity than would be the case if the sheets had to be removedbodily fromthe rings in order to change their position to the rings.

with reference It is also desirable to have a device by the use of which sheets may be moved in either direction and a distance of one or two rings as desired.

The main object of my'invention is to provide a device which will permit the sheets in the book to be moved from one set of rings to another set of rings while retaining the sheets on rings at all times.

attain this result in one operation.

Other objects and advantages relate to the size, shape and arrangement of parts all as will more fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the ace drawings in which:-

ompanying Figure 1 is a top plan view of my device with the rings in closed position. 1

Figure 2 is a top plan view of my device with the rings in open positionand with the ring carrying plates moved longitudinally with respect to each other. Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of,Figure 1. Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2. Figure 5 .isa section on line 5-5 of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a section on. line 66 of Figure 3. Figure '7 is-a section on line 7'l of Figure 3. r aim the drawings I have indicated two book covers --l and 2- partially broken away and flexibly connected at their inner ends to a book back 3. I provide a spring back plate 70, -4' secured to book back -3 by rivets -5+ or other convenient means. Spring back plate 4- is return bent along each longitudinal edge to form troughs --6,and 7-. A toggle plate 8 has its outside longitudinal'edge positioned in trough -.6 and a companion toggle plate --9 has its outside longitudinal edge positioned in trough -'7,. The inner longitudinal edgesof toggle plates -8- and 9- are held in registration with eachother .by a plurality, in 80. this case shown as three, of locking buttons 10 having spaced headed ends between which the edges of toggle plates '8 and 9-are loosely positioned. The combined widthj of toggle plates --8-and 9-'- is greater than .the normal distance between troughs 6- and .7-- so that when the toggle plates 8- and"9-- are moved into the same plane the spring plate '-4--- will be bent outwardly against its'own resiliency with the result that when the toggle plates 8-- Q ited due to? the fact that the opposing prongs a hereinafter to be described are caused to .meet

and locktogetherby such downward movement. Toggle plate 8- is provided with a plurality,

in this case shown as three, of slots l111 positioned in spaced relation longitudinally thereof and for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

Toggle plate 9-- is provided with a plurality.

in thiscase shown as three, of similar slots 12--l2 positioned in spaced relation longitudinally thereof for a purpose hereinafter to be described. v

I further provide a pair of prongcarrying convenient means.

Z plates -13- and l4 prong carrying plate --l3- being positioned to coact with toggle plate 8- and prong carrying plate 14 be- .ing positioned to coact with toggle plate 9.

The design of prong carrying plate --13 and its functioning with relation to toggle plate -8 is the same as the. design of prong carrying plate l4 and 1 its functioning with toggle plate 9 so that a description of one is a description of the other.

Prong carrying plate -13 carries a plurality, in this case shown as fifteen, of prongs or arcuate rods 15- afi'ixed to the upper surface thereof in spaced relation by Welding or other convenient The under surface ,of prong-carrying plate -13- is provided with a plurality, 'in this case shown as three, of depending headed rivets 16 which extend downwardly through slots'1l, the heads l7 of the rivets .l6-' being larger than the width of the slots 11 so that the prong carrying plate l3- and the toggle plate 8 are secured together but may be moved relatively to' each other inasmuch as the-rivets-l6- are a sliding fit in slots 11. For the purpose of manually controlling the movement of prong carrying plate 13 with relation to toggle plate -8- I provide a bellcrank 18 pivotally mounted on'the under surface of toggle plate -8 adjacent oneend thereof by means of pivot pin 19-. A link -20-- is pivotally mounted to one arm of bell-crank --l8 and has its other end pivotally connected to a rivet -2l which is aflixed in theunder surface of prong-carrying plate 13-- extending downwardly through a slot, not shown, but which is similar to slot -22 shown in toggle plate On the upper surface of prong carrying platel3 I provide a plurality, in this case shown as four, of spring clips 23 affixed to the upper surface thereof by rivets -24- or' other Spring clips "23 extend outwardly beyond the longitudinal edges of prong carrying plate'-l3 and are-fashioned with up.

wardly and inwardly turned ends as --25 and -26.

I further provide a cover plate 27 having a plurality of holes -2S for the reception of prongs 15v and having its longitudinal edges inturned so that they may be placed over the inturned edges -25- and 26 of clips 23 to hold cover plate -2'7-- in position through the resilient action of clips 23-.

It will be. understood that the second prongcarrying'plate -14is similarly constructed carrying a plurality of prongs -29-.- and spring clips --30 and is provided with a ,cover plate -31-; Prong-carrying plate l4-'-'is secured in'place on toggle plate 9 by a plurality of headed rivets 32- extending through slots '12 in the latter andcarries at one end a bellcrank .-'-33- and link, not shown, which is similar in construction and function to the bell crank plates 8 and 9 are depressed beneath a, normal plane the V-shaped ends 34 of prongs 15 will enter and register with the V-slots 35 of prongs 29- as shown'in Figure 3.

When it is desired to place sheets on to or remove sheets from prongs 15- and Z9- toggle plates 8 and 9 are'raised above a normal plane thereby separating prongs .15- from prongs 29 as shown in Figure 4 and thus permitting the insertion or removal of the sheets.

In the normal position of the prong assembly the bell cranks --18 and -33- are in the position shown in Figure '7 with the opposite ends of prong-carrying plates 13 and --14- in the same plane and with the opposing prongs 15 and -29 in registration as shown in Figure 1'.

When it is desired to move sheets either up ancldown in the book the sheets are first transferred to one set of the prongs, as for example wardly towards the end of the book which will cause prong carrying plate 13-- to move'lon gitudinally with respect to toggle plate 8 to and beyond the end of the book. Similarly bellcrank 33-- is rotated about its pivot causing prong-carrying plate .14 to move longitudinally of toggle plate 9 to and beyond the end of the book. The result of the longitudinal movement in opposite directions of prong-carrying no I plates 13-- and --14., as just described, will place prongs''l5f and prongs 29- in the relative position shown in Figure 2 so that the .two prongs on the. outer ends of both prongcarrying plates -l3- and l4=- will'not be in a position to register with opposing prongs while the remaining prongs 15-- will be in a position to register with prongs -29'- second from the ones withwhich they would register inthe normal position. a

@The toggle plates --8 and ---9 are'then depressed below a normal plane to bring prongs 15- and prongs -29 together, the sheets are then moved from prongs .-l5 onto prongs 29-. Prongs -l5-- and 29' are. then opened as before described, bell cranks 18 and 33 are rotated about their pivots to the normal position which will result inthe longitudinal movement of prong carrying plates -13 and .l l in a direction Opposite to that just described and will return them to the normal position as shown in Figure 1. The prongs 15, and -29-- will then be brought together into the normal position shown in Figure l. The

sheets will then be found to have been moved up or downin the book a distance of two prongs. It will-be understood that if it is desired to move the sheets in one direction the operation willbe started with the sheets initially on prongs l5, while if it is desired to move the sheets in the opposite direction the movement will be started with the sheets initially on prongs -29. It will also be understood that if it is desired to transfer the sheets in either direction only one set of prongs then'in that case only one of the bell cranks-l8 or 33- will be rotated which will result in placing the' prongs -'-15 and 29- in such a position with relation to each other that when they are then brought together a prong -15 will register with a prong '-29-- adjacent'the' prong 29- with which it would be normally in registration.

Itwill be understood that the size and rela tion. of parts is such that the rotation'of bellcrank -18-- or bell-crank =-33- will cause a movements of'prong-ca rrying plates --13-and '14will be sufficiently great so that sheets i-may -be transferredthree ormore sets of prongs I if d'esiredfl It' will also be understood that the -10 materials I of which-my device are constructed and: the exact method of assembling the differ- =ent parts may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention for although -'I have shown -and described a specific structure and form of part as an exemplification of an embodiment of my invention I do not desire to restrict myself to the exact shape, form or relation of parts as various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

I'claim: I

1. In a device of the class described, a pair of opposed covers, a book back connecting the covers, a spring back plate secured to the book back, a pair of toggle plates operatively positioned in the spring back plate, a pair of prong-carrying plates, means for slidably securing a prong-carrying plate on the upper surface of each toggle plate, a plurality of prongs positioned on the upper surface of each of the prong-carrying plates in longitudinal spaced relation, a bellcrank pivoted to the under surface of one of the toggle plates, and a link having one end pivotally connected to one arm of the bell-crank and having its other end pivotally connected to the under surface of a prong-carrying plate whereby the rotation of the bell-crank will cause the prongcarrying plate to move longitudinally in relation to the toggle plate.

2. In a device of the class described, a pair of opposed covers, a book back connecting the covers, a spring back plate secured'to the bookback,

a pair of toggle plates operatively positioned in the spring back plate, a pair of prong-carrying plates, means for slidably securing a prong-carrying-plate on the upper surface of each toggle plate, such means limiting the movement of the prong-carrying plate in relation to the toggle plate on which it is carried, a plurality of prongs positioned on the upper surface of each of the prong-carrying plates in longitudinal spaced relation, a bell-crank pivoted to the under surface of one of the toggle plates, a link having one end pivotally connected to one arm of the bell-crank and having its other end pivotallyconnected to the under surface of a prong-carrying plate whereby the rotation of the bell-crank will cause the prong-carrying plate to move longitudinally in relation to the toggle plate.

3. In a device of the class described, a pair of opposed covers, a book back connecting the covers, a spring back plate secured to the book back, a pair of toggle plates operatively positioned in thespring back plate, a prong-carrying plate positioned on-the upper surface of each of the toggle plates, a plurality of prong members positioned on the upper surface of each of the prongcarrying plates in longitudinal spaced relation, means for securing the prong-carrying plates on the toggle plates for permitting longitudinal movement of the prong-carrying plates in relation to the toggle plates, and a toggle joint con T necting the end of a toggle plate with the corresponding end of the prong-carrying plate carried thereby, means for moving the toggle joints whereby a prong-carrying plate will be moved upper surface of the toggle platesforpermitting longitudinal movement of the prong-carrying longitudinally in relation tothe toggle plate upon ,fwhich it' ispositioned,

- A. In a device ofthe class'described, a pair of opposed covers; a book backconnectingthecovers, a'springba'ck plate secured tothe book :back,

a pair of toggle plates operatively} positioned in the spring back plate, aprongcarrying plate positioned onthe upper surface of each-of the toggle plates, aplura'lity'of prong members ,positioned on the uppersurfaceof each of 'theprongmarrying plates in longitudinalispaced relation, means for securing the prong-parrying plates on the 'toggle1plates for permitting longitudinal movement of "the prong-carrying plates .in' relation to the toggle plates said means limiting the movement of a prong-carrying plate in relation to the toggle plate on which it is carried, atoggle joint connecting the end of a toggle plate with the corresponding end of the prong-carrying plate carried thereby, means for moving the tog-' 9 V gle joints whereby-a prong-carrying plate will be moved longitudinally in relationfto the toggle plate upon which it is positioned. v

5. In a device of the class described, a pair of opposed covers, a book back connecting the covers, P5100 a pair of toggle plates operatively secured to the book back, a prong-carrying plate positioned on, theupper surface of eachof the toggle plates, means securing the prong-carrying plates on the plates in relation to the toggle plates, bell-cranks pivotally mounted on the under surface of the toggle plates, and links pivotally mountedon one of the ends of the bell-cranks and having their other ends pivotally connected to the'under surface of a prong-carrying plate whereby movement 7 of the bell-cranks will cause the longitudinal movement of the prong-carrying plates in'rel a-j tion to the toggle plates.

6. A binder comprisingtoggle plates, means 1 retaining the toggle plates in operative association and including a spring member yieldably retaining the toggle plates eithe of w b tions with their inner adjacent marginal edges above or below' an imaginary" horizontal line traversing their outer marginal edges, a ring section plate, half ring sections secured thereto, means for slidablyconnecting the plate to one 01 the toggle plates, 2'. cover plate having openings" through which said half ring sections extend near their lower ends and providing a smooth surface for the sliding movement of the leaves thereon, and means for securing the cover plate to the ring section plate. r 7. A binder comprising toggle plates, meansv retaining the toggle plates in operative association and including a spring member yieldably retaining the toggle plates in either of two posi-" tions with their inner adjacent marginal edges above or below an imaginary horizontal line traversing their outer marginal edges, a ring thereon, means for securing the cover plate to g the ring section plate, and means including a rocking member exposed at one end of the binder for sliding said ring section plate lengthwise of the toggle plate.

8., In a visible record removable leaf holder the combination of .a back having tilting sections able in unison OlltfOf alignment withthe ring halves of the other seoti0n,,and meansincluding a rocking niember' exposed. at one end of the binder for effecting such movement.

9. In a visible record removable leaf binder, the

combination ofa back havingtilting sections thereonarranged to tilt about parallel axes dis- 'poserl at the'outer longitudinal edges of the back,

ring halves on each section, and instrumentalities for moving the ring halves oneither section in unison out-,of alignment, with the ring halvesrof the other section.* l -I ,1

. 10. In a visible record removable leaf, binder,

the combination of a back ha'vingtilting sections thereon arranged'to tilt: about parallel'axe's dis- ,poseol atthe outer longitudinaledgesof the back,

ring halves on each, section, instrumentalities whereby the ring. halveson either section are movable in unison out of alignment with the ring halves of the other section, and separate means,

each including a rocking niember forefieoting such-movement of the ring halves on respective sections, Y 1 t JOHN L;;MoMILLA1 I. 

